Tom Daley reveals he is in a relationship with a man in frank YouTube video from Olympic diver

British diver Tom Daley has announced in a YouTube video that he is dating a
man but still interested in women

Tom Daley’s announcement on Monday that he is in a gay relationship was met with a deluge of goodwill messages on social media websites – and a prediction from one sports industry expert that coming out could make him an even hotter property for would-be sponsors.

The 19-year-old, who became the youngest Briton ever to win a senior world title at the age of 15 and won bronze in the 10-metre platform at the London Olympics, posted a five-minute video clip on YouTube to tell his legion of fans that, since the spring, he has been dating a man.

He said he was going public with his sexuality to set the record straight after a national newspaper had misquoted him two months ago when he reportedly denied that he was gay.

“In an ideal world I wouldn’t be doing this video, because it shouldn’t matter,” said Daley. “But recently I was misquoted in an interview and it made me feel really angry and frustrated – emotions that I’ve never felt before when reading something about myself.

Tom Daley competed in the men's 10m Platform during the London 2012 Olympic Games (EPA)

“For me, honesty is something that I really do believe in, and I’ve always been honest.”

Speaking about his gay relationship, Daley said: “Come spring this year, my life changed massively when I met someone and they made me feel so happy, so safe, and everything just feels great. And that someone is a guy.

“It did take me by surprise a little bit. It was always in the back of my head that something like that could happen, but it wasn’t until spring this year that something just clicked. It felt right, like I said, and my whole world changed there and then.

“Of course I still fancy girls, but right now I’m dating a guy and I couldn’t be happier. I just feel safe and it just really does feel right.”

Among the many sports stars and celebrities who took to Twitter to congratulate Daley on his honesty and bravery was Australian Matt Mitcham, the 2008 Olympic 10m platform gold medallist, who is also openly gay.

“Tom Daley is a champion in every sense of the word,” said Mitcham. “And it’s super cute that he’s in love. He should be rewarded with all our support.”

<noframe>Twitter: Tom Daley - Got something I need to say...not been an easy decision to make, hope you can support me! :) <a href="http://t.co/oOrDEiChGd" target="_blank">http://t.co/oOrDEiChGd</a></noframe>

Mitcham’s own experience of being a gay athlete has not always been positive. In previous interviews he has revealed that his sexuality has been proved a major impediment to attracting corporate sponsors.

But Nigel Currie, director of sports marketing and sponsorship at the leading sports agency brandRapport, doubted whether Daley’s high earning potential would be harmed at all.

“I think I it may, in some shape or form, actually improve his marketability because of what he has done and the way he handled it,” said Currie. “He’s clearly addressed the situation before any tabloid stories emerge. He decided to come out and say what he said and I think a lot of people will respect that.

Daley will be heading to America for a training camp until Christmas

“We live in a modern world and sponsors and brands in general are much more flexible and broad in their views nowadays. In a world where companies are very conscious of their image and their social responsibility, I think they want to appear to appeal to as broad a spectrum as possible, and from that point of view they are not going to let things get in the way that might have been barriers in the past.”

Retired basketball player John Amaechi, who became the first NBA player to reveal that he was gay, said Daley had done the right thing in posting his video clip because hiding away and constantly having to use “gender neutral” pronouns when talking about relationships would be detrimental to his performance as a diver.

“If you’re really interested in the best and you’re someone who operates in business, or in education, or in sport at the very cutting edge, you can’t afford to have even a fraction of your energy dedicated to gender-neutral pronouns,” he said.

He also praised the Plymouth teenager for being a role model for young people trying to come to terms with their sexuality.

“There are young people who are not in the privileged position of Tom Daley who have been thrown out of their houses for telling their parents that they are gay,” said Amaechi. “There are people on the streets now for saying the same things that Tom has said in his video.

Tom Daley with his father Robert in 2008 (Martin Pope)

“The good part is that what Tom has done here is contributed by showing another role model out there who can connect with young people, and now it’s up to others out there to carry that on.”

Surrey cricketer Steven Davies, who came out two years ago, said Daley’s video announcement was “really great news”, and something he would not regret.

“I’ve been there myself, and it is tough coming out,” he said. “It’s tough for anyone, telling your family and your friends. But when you’re in the public eye, it’s even more difficult.

“What he will find is that the support is out there, and people don’t care any more. He probably won’t realise it just yet, but when the dust settles there will be thousands and thousands of people contacting him to thank him for what he has done. Not just young kids but older guys and girls too. I’m very proud of him.”